The Chikangawa search was fighting more than bad weather and difficult terrain, with former Inspector General of Police Merlyne Yolamu now revealing another obstacle that stood in the way.
Yolamu has defended the Malawi Police Service’s performance in the Chikangawa Plane crash that her charges were constrained by inadequate resources.
Yolamu told the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee probing the June 10, 2024 Chikangawa plane crash that Police was capable to perform but failed due factors.
“I am fully capable of discharging my duties, but I was limited by resources at our disposal.” she told the committee.
She also questioned whether the current budget allocations will make police effective.
“Sometimes we look at the budget and wonder how the regional commissioners are supposed to work with that?” she questioned.
The former IG said Just like other government departments, catalysing the procurement process for urgent materials needed during the search and rescue mission was not on its best.
On halting the search, Yolamu told the Committee that the then Commissioner of Police for the North Richard Luhanga notified the IG that the search will resume the following day due to weather and bad terrain.
She said, those on. The ground managed to analyse the situation and made a decision that time, as her office was only to receive the updates and reports of the operation.
Yolamu earlier told the committee that the police lack specialised personnel, including investigators trained in aircraft crash investigations, and called for investment in that area.
Se then urged the Parliament to ensure adequate fund are channeled to the Malawi Police Service to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
The 10th June 2024, Plane claimed the lives of late Vice President Saulos Chilima and with others who accompanied him on his trip to Nkhatabay districtto attend the burial of Late Raphael Kasambara.
